WESTLOCK – A man accused of administering a noxious substance, intimidation, and sexual contact with a child has been found not guilty.
Justice Bill Hendsbee handed down his decision in Westlock Court of Justice Feb. 6. He had reserved his decision following a trial in January.
The accused appeared by CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre. There is a publication ban on any information that would identify the underage complainant, including the name of the accused.
Court heard the charges stemmed from April 2024 when the man had gone to the youth centre in Westlock to pick up a food hamper and the underage girl was helping distribute food hampers. She was 15 at the time and he was 27. She testified that she had asked him for meth and they met up at the nearby Lions Park. She said she gave him oral sex and then the two engaged in sexual intercourse.
She testified that she first took meth when she was 12 years old and admitted to being addicted. The accused also admitted to having a meth addiction.
The girl had lived with him previously, court heard. There was a no contact order at the time.
The complaint was a reluctant witness and didn’t want the charges against the accused to proceed and she felt pressured but maintained that she was truthful, court heard.
The accused testified that he did go to pick up a food hamper but denied having sex with the minor.
Justice Hendsbee said there was contradictory evidence from the accused and the complainant.
“If I cannot decide who to believe I must acquit,” he said.
